Kind Hearts Dog Training Center
Giving you training tools to bring manners & trust into your dog’s life.
Kind Hearts is also a nonprofit and our classes help to fund the work of Therapy Partners.
We opened the doors to our first dog training facility in 2001. Our volunteer trainers have decades of dog training experience. They bring this knowledge to the floor as they guide individuals through humane training techniques, such as using a clicker for commands, and teach individuals how to lead their companion animal to become a well-mannered member of the family.
2025 Session Schedules
Registration for Session 1 will open MONDAY, NOV 25th at 8am.
Classes meet one hour a week for seven weeks. The cost for the seven week session is $150. Class registration fee is non-refundable.
Session 1 January 6 - February 22, 2025 (depending on class/day selected)
Session 2 March 3 - April 26, 2025. NO classes the week of March 17-22 due to Spring Break.
Session 3 May 12 - June 28, 2025. NO class on Sat, May 24th due to Memorial Day weekend.
Session 4 August 2-September 20, 2025. NO class on Sat, Aug 30th or Mon, Sept 1st due to Labor Day.
Session 5 September 29-November 22, 2025. NO classes the week of October 6-11 due to Fall Break.
Current & Upcoming Classes
PUPPY KINDERGARTEN
For pups ages 9-20 weeks at the start of class, we’ll get you and your puppy off to a great start. We offer socialization with novel sights, sounds, and experiences as we help your pup learn to live with its new human family. We tackle common puppy challenges with positive training techniques. The first day of class is for humans only. Class registration fee is non-refundable. Classes meet one hour a week for seven weeks and cost $150 for the seven week session.
BEGINNING MANNERS
For dogs from 5 months + to senior citizens. We’ll show you how to teach your dog good manners and prevent unruly behavior in fun, innovative ways. We make learning enjoyable and rewarding for you and your dog. Dogs will begin to learn sit, down, wait, come and loose lead walking. Individual behavior problems are also addressed. Attendance at the first class is mandatory. The first day of class is for humans only. Class registration fee is non-refundable. Classes meet one hour a week for seven weeks and cost $150 for the seven week session.
INTERMEDIATE MANNERS
Improve your skills as you and your dog prepare for the AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test! Classes add distractions, distance, and duration to skills. There may be field trips to dog-friendly locations, and we’ll incorporate real-world scenarios to your CGC preparation. Successful graduation from Beginning Manners is a prerequisite. Class registration fee is non-refundable. Classes meet one hour a week for seven weeks and cost $150 for the seven week session.
THERAPY PARTNERS PREP
For owners interested in finding out if their animal is a good fit for therapy work, this class teaches handling skills relevant to animal-assisted therapy and the training/handling practices used in AAT. The first day of class is for humans only. Dogs must have passed the AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluation and be evaluated by KH trainers if the dog did not attend classes at Kind Hearts. Inquire by email if interested. Class registration fee is non-refundable. Classes meet one hour a week for seven weeks and cost $150 for the seven week session. Registration is by invitation only.
NEXT SESSION is likely Session 2 in 2025 (March-April).
DOGGIE DATE NIGHT / OUT ON THE TOWN class
Do you want to take your dog with you to canine friendly areas around town? Doggie Date Night is a class where dogs with great “on-the-town” manners can visit local dog-friendly areas and businesses. Dogs must have passed the AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluation or get instructor approval to register.
CLASS INFORMATION FOLDER
Printed class folder with information for either Puppy Kindergarten or Beginning Manners. Details the skills covered during classes and includes suggestions for homework. Printed copy is available at the first class for your convenience. All class material will be emailed at no charge prior to the start of class.
Our Trainers
Mary Graham
Number of year training Dogs: 20
Mary is a CPDT-ka, a certified professional dog trainer.
Education: Completed 2 year apprenticeship under Robin Bennett and Colleen Pelar at “All About Dogs” (one of the top dog training facilities in Northern Virginia), and participated in numerous workshops, seminars, and classes offered by Sue Sternberg, Patricia McConnell, Karen Pryor, Ken Ramirez, Susan Garrett, and Mike Shikashio, among others.
Professional Affiliations/Titles: CPDT-ka (Certified Pet Dog Trainer, knowledge assessed), Pet Partners Team Evaluator, Partners Team Member, AKC CGC, Trick Dog, and STAR Puppy Evaluator, Professional level member of APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers), and Red Cross Animal Assisted Activity Coordinator for Huntsville/ Madison County.
Special interests: Group and individual classes to improve the relationships with family dogs and their people.
Phil Graham
Number of Years Training Dogs: 3
Phil is a lead trainer for Beginning Manners courses.
Experience: Three year background in assisting handlers with canines with dog-to-dog interaction issues and high activity/low self-control issues. Also, assisted lead trainers in Beginning Manners for two years.
Activities: Current, Canine Good Citizen Evaluator and steward for both AKC Obedience and AKC Rally Obedience events in the local Huntsville area.
Ethical Alignment: Interested in canine cognition, handler-canine communications and building mutual trust between handler and canine companion. Focus upon least intrusive, minimally aversive approach to foundational handler skills in a positive training environment. The goal of his approach to training is to build a team relationship between a handler and their companion canine.
Tracy Roberts
Number of Years Training Dogs: 4
Tracy is an instructor for Puppy Kindergarten and Beginning Manners. She also does one-on-one training in the Madison area.
Education: 3 years as Assistant/Apprentice Instructor under Mary Graham at Kind Hearts
Special Interest Areas: Human-canine bonding, puppy socialization, refining basic obedience skills to create polite, well-behaved canine family members.
Mindy Edge
Number of years training Dogs: 2
Mindy is a CPDT-ka, certified professional dog trainer.
Education: Assisted in a variety of classes at Kind Hearts including Puppy, Beginning Manners, Intermediate Manners, Therapy Partners Prep, and Rowdies.
Professional Affiliations/Volunteering: Member of APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers). AKC CGC and STAR Puppy Evaluator.
Special Interests: Positive training that helps dogs and their owners strengthen their relationships.
